He was ordained to the priesthood in September 1856 with an indult because he had not yet reached the canoncial age. He served as Professor of philosophy at the seminary where he himself was taught. He later served as professor of rational law at Ospizio Ecclesiastico di Maria, Naples. He was also Prefect of studies at the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Naples and Examiner of the clergy. He was a representative of Archbishop Guglielmo Sanfelice d'Acquavilla to the Società Cattoliche Operaie.